Heat records eclipsed in L.A. Tuesday, but rainy weather is on the way

After temperatures soared in recent days, reaching the low 90s on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said the rest of the week will bring cooler temperatures, strong winds and rain. For those in the Sierra, expect heavy snowfall.

A southerly moving low-pressure system is forecast to roll in Wednesday, when temperatures in Southern California probably will cool to a high of about 70.

Rain showers are expected to begin later in the day, when winds could also intensify, reaching gusts as high as 70 mph in the Antelope Valley — powerful enough to fell trees and power lines.

The heaviest amounts of rain are forecast for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, with Ojai seeing up to an inch by Thursday morning. Woodland Hills and Malibu are forecast to see about a third of an inch, while about half an inch of rain is expected for Pasadena, according to the National Weather Service.

Foothills and slopes along the coast could see as much as 2 inches of rain.

The rain could snarl Wednesday evening rush hour traffic and the next morning's commute, weather officials said. Those living near recent burn areas are advised to watch out for debris flows.

Heavier snowfall is expected in the southern Cascades and the Sierra, including Yosemite National Park, and extending down to the border between Tulare and Kern counties. Up to 18 inches of snow could fall above 7,000 feet by Thursday, with up 2 feet possible in mountain passes.

Ahead of the dramatic change, a finale of sorts took place Tuesday with hot, dry weather once again shattering records across the Southland.

It reached 88 degrees at UCLA and Camarillo, beating the areas' records of 84 and 86 degrees, respectively, officials said. It was 87 degrees at Los Angeles International Airport by the afternoon, breaking its old record of 84 degrees, forecasters said.

Downtown, the thermometer hit 89 degrees, breaking the record of 88 degrees set in 1977, the weather service said. Santa Barbara also broke a heat record for the day.

On Monday, record high temperatures were set in Long Beach, at UCLA and in Oxnard.

The rainfall is expected to subside by Thursday night, and the weekend should see clear skies with highs between the 70s to 80, according to the weather service.